Gold Bars & Doré
Review suitable bars and doré according to their form, condition and the decision the result needs to support.
Gold Testing & Assaying
Gold Testing & Assaying
Independent Gold Testing for Bars, Doré & Precious-Metal Samples
When the composition of gold matters, independent laboratory testing can replace assumptions with a documented analytical result.
Bilex Minerals EA reviews gold bars, doré, ore, concentrates, jewellery and other suitable precious-metal samples, selecting from analytical and physical methods according to the material, sampling requirements and purpose of the test.
Actual Bilex material intake
Service overview
Gold Testing at Bilex
Test the material. Understand the result. Make an informed decision.
The appropriate method depends on the material, sampling requirements, whether destructive testing is permitted, what the client needs the result to establish and how the result will be used.
What Can We Test?
Bilex can assess a range of gold-bearing and metallic materials, subject to the appropriate sampling and testing requirements. If you are unsure whether your material is suitable, contact Bilex before bringing it to the laboratory.
Ore & Concentrates
Confirm representative sampling and preparation requirements before analytical work begins.
Jewellery & Metallic Samples
Assess suitable items while considering construction, surface condition and whether the item must remain intact.
Refinery & Representative Samples
Keep the report connected to an identified sample and the material it is intended to represent.
Available testing methods
Choose the Method from the Material and the Question
These are methods within Gold Testing & Assaying, not separate business divisions. Bilex confirms availability and suitability for the specific enquiry.
010203040506070809
Fire Assay
Representative prepared-sample gold determination.
Learn MoreXRF Analysis
Rapid non-destructive surface elemental analysis.
Learn MoreICP-OES
Quantitative multi-element instrumental analysis.
Learn MoreAAS
Targeted quantitative elemental analysis.
Learn MoreICP-MS
High-sensitivity trace-element analysis.
Learn MorePhotonAssay
Bulk non-destructive analysis of suitable prepared samples.
Learn MoreMetallic-Screen Fire Assay
Specialised coarse-gold and heterogeneous-sample analysis.
Learn MoreUltrasonic Testing
Internal bullion-integrity examination; not an exact-fineness assay.
Learn MoreDensity / Hydrostatic Testing
Supporting physical verification; not a definitive purity assay.
Learn MoreCompare gold testing methods
Match the Method to the Question
This comparison supports an initial discussion. Final method selection depends on the material, sample, analytical scope and intended use.
Fire Assay
- Main question
- Gold content of a representative analytical portion
- Sample
- Prepared sample
- Destructive?
- Yes
- Primary limitation
- Represents only material supported by sampling
XRF
- Main question
- Which elements are present in selected surface regions?
- Sample
- Suitable intact surface
- Destructive?
- Normally no
- Primary limitation
- Shallow surface-region measurement
ICP-OES
- Main question
- What are the concentrations of selected elements?
- Sample
- Prepared analytical sample
- Destructive?
- Preparation required
- Primary limitation
- Requires method-appropriate preparation
AAS
- Main question
- What is the concentration of a selected target element?
- Sample
- Prepared analytical sample
- Destructive?
- Preparation required
- Primary limitation
- Usually targeted rather than broad simultaneous analysis
ICP-MS
- Main question
- Which elements are present at low or trace levels?
- Sample
- Prepared analytical sample
- Destructive?
- Preparation required
- Primary limitation
- Often unnecessary for routine bullion screening
PhotonAssay
- Main question
- What is the bulk gold content of a suitable prepared sample?
- Sample
- Validated prepared sample
- Destructive?
- Analytical sample remains intact
- Primary limitation
- Application and range must suit the material
Metallic-Screen
- Main question
- How much gold is present where coarse gold creates heterogeneity?
- Sample
- Large prepared sample
- Destructive?
- Yes
- Primary limitation
- Specialised for coarse or heterogeneous material
Ultrasound
- Main question
- Is the internal structure consistent?
- Sample
- Suitable solid bar
- Destructive?
- No
- Primary limitation
- Does not determine exact fineness
Density
- Main question
- Is the overall density physically consistent?
- Sample
- Suitable solid item
- Destructive?
- No
- Primary limitation
- Cannot determine exact purity by itself
Method selection
Choosing the Right Gold Testing Method
XRF or Fire Assay? The methods answer different testing questions.
0102
XRF
Useful when rapid, non-destructive information from selected surface regions can support screening or comparison.
Fast · Non-destructive · Surface-region measurement · Useful for screening · Useful for comparing multiple areas · Suitable when preserving the item is important
Explore XRF AnalysisFire Assay
Appropriate where the question requires analysis of a representative prepared portion and destructive testing is permitted.
Prepared analytical sample · Representative sampling is important · Analytical portion is consumed · Appropriate for representative determination
Explore Fire AssayA practical choice
Which Test Should You Choose?
You do not need to determine the method yourself.
Need a quick, non-destructive assessment? XRF may be appropriate. Need analysis from a representative prepared sample? Fire Assay may be appropriate.
Talk to Bilex About Your SampleTell Bilex:
- What material you have
- Its approximate quantity or form
- What you need to establish
- Whether destructive sampling is permitted
- How the result will be used
Why Independent Gold Testing Matters
Visual inspection, stated purity and seller-provided claims do not replace independent laboratory analysis of an identified sample.
- Verify composition
- Support buying and selling decisions
- Identify differences between samples or areas
- Determine whether further testing is appropriate
- Obtain a documented laboratory result
A laboratory result applies to the material represented by the identified sample and the stated testing method.
It does not, by itself, establish ownership, origin, lawful provenance or the legitimacy of a wider transaction.
Keep the Result Connected to the Sample
Representative sampling matters because the result describes the sample that was actually tested. The material or lot, sample identity and intended use should remain clear from collection through reporting.
- Define the material or lot
- Record the sample identity
- Agree who may collect the sample
- Arrange witnessed sampling where required
- Confirm retained portions
- Record the intended use of the result
Common questions
Gold Testing FAQ
Can Bilex test gold doré?
Yes. Gold doré is one of the materials Bilex can review, subject to suitable sampling, intake and testing requirements. Describe the bar and what you need to establish when you send the enquiry.
Is gold testing destructive?
It depends on the method. XRF, ultrasound and density testing are normally non-destructive for suitable items. Fire Assay consumes its analytical portion, while ICP techniques and AAS require a prepared analytical sample. PhotonAssay leaves its prepared analytical sample intact, although preparation may alter the original material.
Can XRF replace Fire Assay?
Not automatically. XRF and Fire Assay answer different questions. XRF is useful for rapid surface screening and comparison, while Fire Assay analyses a representative prepared portion where destructive testing is appropriate.
Can you tell me which test I need?
Yes. Tell Bilex what material you have, its approximate form or quantity, what you need the result to establish and whether destructive sampling is permitted. The team can then discuss the appropriate scope.
Do I need an appointment?
Contact Bilex before travelling with valuable material. After reviewing your enquiry, the team can advise the next step and, where appropriate, arrange an initial consultation by phone, WhatsApp, video call or in person.
Gold testing enquiry
Need Gold Tested?
Whether you are dealing with a gold doré bar, bullion, ore, concentrate or another suitable precious-metal sample, Bilex can help you determine the appropriate testing approach.
Please contact Bilex before travelling with valuable material. After reviewing your enquiry, the team can advise on the next step and, where appropriate, arrange an initial consultation by phone, WhatsApp, video call or in person.